Flexibly maximize hardware capabilities in highly virtualized dynamic systems

ABSTRACT

A method, computer program product, and/or system for maximizing hardware capabilities of a network interface card are provided. To maximize hardware capabilities of the network interface card, a media access control address for associating with the network interface card is received and a number of media access control addresses defined to the network interface card is compared to a maximum threshold of the network interface card. Then, in response to when the number is equal to or exceeds the maximum threshold of the network interface card, a promiscuous mode is enabled for network interface card and the media access control address is associated with the network interface card.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to virtualized networkingsystems, and more specifically, to maximizing hardware capabilities ofhighly virtualized dynamic networking systems.

In general, contemporary networking systems operate in dynamicenvironments where a configured number of media access control (MAC)addresses often exceed a threshold capability of associated hardware,such as network interface card (NIC). In this case, the NIC must be putinto a (promiscuous) mode that forces the contemporary networkingsystems to process and filter a higher than normal volume of packets,which results in various forms of performance degradation. Additionally,when the configured number of MAC addresses subsequently fall back underthe threshold capability of the NIC (with merely a list of configuredMACs) there is at present no way to optimize an earliest point at whichthe mode can be disabled to reduce the processing/filtering operationsand reclaim improved performance of the system.

SUMMARY

Embodiments herein relate to a method, system, and/or computer programproduct for maximizing hardware capabilities of network interface card.The embodiments include receiving a media access control address forassociating with the network interface card; comparing a number of mediaaccess control addresses defined to the network interface card to amaximum threshold of the network interface card; and in response to whenthe number is equal to or exceeds the maximum threshold of the networkinterface card enabling a promiscuous mode for network interface card,and associating the media access control address with the networkinterface card

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of thedisclosure are described in detail herein. For a better understanding ofthe disclosure with the advantages and the features, refer to thedescription and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a process flow for determining a number of media accesscontrol addresses with respect to a maximum threshold in accordance withan embodiment; and

FIG. 4 depicts a process flow for a media access control addressde-registration in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provides pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and mobile desktop 96.

In view of the above, embodiments described herein relate to virtualizednetworking systems, and more specifically, to maximizing hardwarecapabilities of highly virtualized dynamic networking systems.

In general, to maximize hardware capabilities, a framework is createdand within a highly virtualized dynamic networking system to support anefficiency maximization layer, such as a device driver. The efficiencymaximization layer manages modes of the hardware, such as a networkinterface card (NIC), with respect to a capability threshold. In thisway, the NIC can be placed into a promiscuous mode when a currentvirtualization degree (or virtualization demand) of the highlyvirtualized dynamic networking system exceeds discrete capabilities ofthe NIC. Further, when the virtualization demand returns to a levelwithin the discrete capabilities of the NIC, the efficiency maximizationlayer can disable the promiscuous mode Thus, the efficiency maximizationlayer, at an earliest point at which the promiscuous mode can bedisabled, reduces any processing/filtering operations and reclaims animproved performance of the highly virtualized dynamic networkingsystem. Note that while embodiments described herein relate to anefficiency maximization layer of a device driver, embodiments can alsoinclude being implemented directly within the NIC, the native firmwareof the NIC, and/o externalized via the application programmableinterfaces.

The discrete capabilities of the NIC can be based on the number of mediaaccess control (MAC) addresses that can be registered to the NIC at anygiven time. To control the number of MAC addresses registered to the NICat any given time, the efficiency maximization layer can analyze the MACstates of all MAC addresses configured for that NIC. The MAC state is amechanism for defining the implementation or nature of each of theconfigured MAC addresses. For instance, the MAC address state from aperspective of the NIC defines discrete MAC addresses and not-discreteMAC addresses. A discrete MAC address is specifically defined (added orregistered) to the NIC. A not-discrete MAC address is not known by theNIC, but enabled for the NIC via setting a promiscuous mode for the NIC.

Promiscuous mode is a configuration to enable the NIC to transmit andreceive packets from a plurality of discrete and non-discrete MACaddresses. Promiscuous mode can be enabled for a number of reasons whichcan co-exist, such as manual and MAC-overflow reasons. The manual reasonfor promiscuous mode reflects when the highly virtualized dynamicnetworking system has directly requested the NIC to go into apromiscuous mode. The overflow reason for promiscuous mode reflects whenthe highly virtualized dynamic networking system has detected that thereare MAC addresses configured whose MAC address state is not-discrete(they are not registered to the NIC, hence promiscuous mode is requiredfor them to be received). By saving, controlling, and referencing thesepromiscuous mode reasons the efficiency maximization layer can be theultimate arbitrator to set/clear the promiscuous mode to the NIC. Thisallows promiscuous mode to be cleared at the earliest possible time, yetwithout clearing it until no further ‘reasons’ exist for it to be set.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a process flow 300 for determining a number ofMAC addresses with respect to a maximum threshold is depicted inaccordance with an embodiment. In general, the process flow 300maintains the NIC in a normal mode (e.g., prevents the enabling of thepromiscuous mode that does not perform as well as the normal mode) untilthe number of MAC addresses defined to the NIC exceeds what the NIC cansupport.

The process flow 300 begins at block 310, where the efficiencymaximization layer initializes a MAC registration operation of a MACaddress. At decision block 320, the efficiency maximization layerperforms determines whether the number of MAC addresses configured tothe NIC is greater than or equal to a maximum threshold. The number isthe sum of entries in the local list of MAC addresses which have a MACaddress state of ‘discrete’ (those actually configured to the card). Themaximum threshold is a maximum number of discrete MAC addressessupported by the NIC and can be predetermined by the efficiencymaximization layer via input form a user or based on hardwarespecifications of the NIC. If the number of MAC addresses of the NIC isless than the maximum threshold, then the process flow 300 proceeds toblock 330 (indicated by the ‘No’ arrow). If the number of MAC addressesof the NIC is greater than or equal to the maximum threshold, then theprocess flow 300 proceeds to block 340 (indicated by the ‘Yes’ arrow).

At block 330, the efficiency maximization layer performs a MACregistration operation with the NIC by adding the MAC address to a tableor list of the efficiency maximization layer. The adding of the NIC canbe performed according to the Add MAC Address Heuristic #1. This MACaddress is added with a MAC address state designation of ‘discrete, asindicated by the dashed-box 335). In this way, the efficiencymaximization layer can continue to register MAC addresses, until thenumber of MAC addresses defined to the NIC is greater than or equal tothe maximum threshold (e.g., the maximum number of discrete MACssupported by the associated NIC), which delays an enabling of thepromiscuous mode for the associated NIC until the last possible momentrequired to support all the defined MAC addresses.

Add MAC Address Heuristic #1:  IF (# of MAC addresses defined to NIC <maximum threshold)   directly add/register MAC address with NIC   localMAC address state = discrete  END

At block 340, the efficiency maximization layer assures that apromiscuous mode reason includes the value/concept of MAC overflow. Ifthe required promiscuous mode is not yet enabled at the NIC, then itwill be enabled (as shown in block 345). Then, at block 350, theefficiency maximization layer adds the MAC address to the table. Inblock 350, the MAC address is added to the table based on whether withthe number of ‘discrete’ MAC addresses is greater than or equal to themaximum threshold. If the number of ‘discrete’ MAC addresses is lessthan the maximum threshold, then the efficiency maximization layer addsthe MAC address to the table according to the Add MAC Address Heuristic#1, such that the MAC address state is set to ‘discrete.’ If the numberof ‘discrete’ MAC addresses is greater than or equal to the maximumthreshold, then the efficiency maximization layer adds the MAC addressto the table according to the Add MAC Address Heuristic #2, such thatthe MAC address state is set to not-discrete.

Add MAC Address Heuristic #1 (as previously defined):  IF (# of MACaddresses defined to NIC < maximum threshold)   Directly register MACwith NIC   Add MAC to local table of all MACs for this NIC   set thisMAC's MAC address state = discrete  END

Add MAC Address Heuristic #2:  IF (# of MAC addresses defined to NIC >=maximum threshold)   Enable the appropriate promiscuous mode at the NIC  Include ‘MAC Overflow’ in the Promiscuous mode reasons value   Add MACto local table of all MACs for this NIC   set this MAC' s MAC addressstate = not-discrete  END

In view of the process flow 300, since the efficiency maximization layeradds over time a plurality of MAC addresses with an associated state ofnot-discrete, the efficiency maximization layer also includes an exitoperation from the promiscuous mode at a first possible opportunity, sothe highly virtualized dynamic networking system can return to optimalperformance. The exit operation is an optimized MAC addressde-registration operation that enables the highly virtualized dynamicnetworking system to take the NIC back out of promiscuous mode at anearliest opportunity, with the least disruption to the NIC configurationand processing.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a process flow for performing a media accesscontrol de-registration is depicted in accordance with an embodiment. Ingeneral, the process flow 400 seeks to eliminate any MAC addresses whosestate is ‘not discrete’, such that if a MAC address with MAC addressstate of ‘discrete’ is removed, then that MAC address is removed fromthe known MAC addresses of the NIC. Further, if a MAC with MAC addressstate ‘not-discrete’ is found in the local list/table, then that MACaddress is subsequently registered to the NIC and has its state changedto ‘discrete.’ Once these actions are done, heuristics may be performedto assess the possibility of taking the NIC out of promiscuous mode.

The process flow 400 begins at block 410, where the efficiencymaximization layer initializes a MAC de-registration operation of a MACaddress. At decision block 415, the efficiency maximization layer actsbased upon the state of the MAC address. If the MAC address state of theMAC address is not-discrete, then the process flow 400 proceeds to block420. At block 420, the efficiency maximization layer removes the MACaddress from the table.

If the MAC address state of the MAC address is discrete, then theprocess flow 400 proceeds to block 430. At block 430, the efficiencymaximization layer will attempt to replace the discrete MAC address fromthe table with a non-discrete MAC address. For instance, the efficiencymaximization layer can de-register the MAC address from NIC, remove theMAC address from table (as shown in block 432), and search the table fora ‘not-discrete’ MAC address (as shown in decision block 434). If a‘not-discrete’ MAC address is found, the efficiency maximization layercan register the not-discrete MAC address with the NIC (as shown inblock 436) and change its MAC address state to ‘discrete’ (as shown indecision block 438). Then the process flow 400 proceeds to block 440. Ifa ‘not-discrete’ MAC address is not found, then the process flow 400proceeds to block 440.

At decision block 440, the efficiency maximization determines whether anumber of ‘discrete’ media access control addresses is less than orequal to a maximum threshold for a network interface card. If the numberof ‘discrete’ MAC addresses is greater than the maximum threshold, thenthe process flow 400 is done (e.g., proceeds to block 410). Eventuallyas demand decreases to the point where the NIC can/is discretelysupporting all MAC addresses (e.g., all MAC address states are‘discrete’). In block 450 the efficiency maximization layer beginsheuristics involving the possible optimal disabling of promiscuous modeat the NIC.

If the number of ‘discrete’ MAC addresses is less than or equal to themaximum threshold, then the process flow 400 proceeds to block 450. Atblock 450, the efficiency maximization layer removes ‘MAC overflow’ fromthe promiscuous mode reasons value. Next, at decision block 460, theefficiency maximization layer determines if all promiscuous reasons havebeen removed. If all promiscuous reasons have not been removed, then theprocess flow 400 is done (e.g., proceeds to block 410). If allpromiscuous reasons have been removed, then the process flow 400proceeds to block 470 where the efficiency maximization layer disablesassociated promiscuous mode in the network interface card, and theprocess flow is done.

The dynamic process flow 400 thus allows the removal of a NICpromiscuous mode quickly and cleanly at the earliest possible moment,with no mass re-registry of MACs to the NIC (which could slow, or breaklarge workloads). Thus, the process flow 400 assures optimal utilizationof the NIC and its MAC address support (a limited resource), assuresbest performance based on the number of MAC addresses required, assuresan earliest return to ‘best performance’ as/if host demands shift backbelow the NIC's maximum capability threshold, and with the most dynamicmanagement of MAC addresses with the NIC, avoids the need for possiblydisruptive ‘complete refreshes’ of MAC addresses to the NIC.

Remove MAC Address Heuristic #1 (optimal reduction of not-discreteMACs):

  IF (MAC's MAC address state == Discrete)  De-register MAC address fromNIC  Remove MAC from local table  Search local table for a MAC withstate: not-discrete  IF (found MAC with state of not-discrete)  Register this MAC to the NIC   Change MAC's MAC address state todiscrete  END ELSE (state == not-discrete)  Remove MAC from local tableENDRemove MAC Address Heuristic #2 (promiscuous modeoptimization—can/should be performed after completion of ‘Remove MACaddress Heuristic #1):

 IF (# of ‘discrete’ MAC addresses in local table less than or equal tomax  threshold for this NIC)   Remove ‘MAC Overflow’ from thePromiscuous mode reasons value   IF (no Promiscuous mode reasons remain)   Disable associated promiscuous mode from the NIC   END  END

Technical effects and benefits of embodiments here include optimizing anearliest point at which a promiscuous mode can be disabled to reduce theprocessing/filtering operations and reclaim improved performance ofhighly virtualized dynamic networking systems. Thus, embodimentsdescribed herein are necessarily rooted in configurable computingresources to perform proactive operations to overcome problemsspecifically arising in the realm of virtualized networking systems.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of onemore other features, integers, steps, operations, element components,and/or groups thereof.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer program product, the computer programproduct comprising a computer readable storage medium having programinstructions for maximizing hardware capabilities of a network interfacecard of a virtualized dynamic networking system embodied therewith, theprogram instructions executable by a processor of the virtualizeddynamic networking system to cause the processor to perform: receiving amedia access control address for associating with the network interfacecard; comparing a number of media access control addresses defined tothe network interface card to a maximum threshold of the networkinterface card; and in response to when the number is equal to orexceeds the maximum threshold of the network interface card: enabling apromiscuous mode for the network interface card, and associating themedia access control address with the network interface card, whereinthe promiscuous mode is a configuration that enables the networkinterface card to transmit and receive packets from a plurality ofdiscrete media access control addresses and a plurality of non-discretemedia access control addresses, wherein the enabling of the promiscuousmode is in accordance with a plurality of co-existing reasons beingactive and a clearance of the promiscuous mode is in accordance with atime when none of the plurality of co-existing reasons are active,wherein the plurality of co-existing reasons comprising a manual reasonand an overflow reason, wherein the plurality of discrete media accesscontrol addresses comprises addresses specifically registered to thenetwork interface card, wherein the plurality of non-discrete mediaaccess control addresses comprises addresses not known by the networkinterface card and enabled for the network interface card via theenabling of the promiscuous mode for the network interface card.
 2. Thecomputer program product of claim 1, wherein the number of media accesscontrol addresses is based on the plurality of discrete media accesscontrol addresses presently defined to the network interface card andthe media access control address.
 3. The computer program product ofclaim 1, wherein a state of the media access control address is set todiscrete when the number is equal to the maximum threshold of thenetwork interface card.
 4. The computer program product of claim 1,wherein the media access control address is added to a table with astate set to discrete in response to when the number is less than themaximum threshold of the network interface card.
 5. The computer programproduct of claim 1, wherein the program instructions are furtherexecutable by the processor of the virtualized dynamic networking systemto cause the processor to perform: performing a de-registration of asecond media access control address by: removing the second media accesscontrol address from a table, changing a state of the media accesscontrol address from not-discrete to discrete.
 6. The computer programproduct of claim 1, wherein the manual reason comprises when thevirtualized dynamic networking system has directly requested the networkinterface card to go into the promiscuous mode.
 7. The computer programproduct of claim 1, wherein the overflow reason comprises when thevirtualized dynamic networking system has detected that there are one ormore media access control addresses configured as non-discrete mediaaccess control addresses.
 8. A virtualized dynamic networking systemcomprising: a memory having computer readable instructions formaximizing hardware capabilities of a network interface card of thevirtualized dynamic networking system; and a processor for executing thecomputer readable instructions, the computer readable instructionsincluding: receiving a media access control address for associating withthe network interface card; comparing a number of media access controladdresses defined to the network interface card to a maximum thresholdof the network interface card; and in response to when the number isequal to or exceeds the maximum threshold of the network interface card:enabling a promiscuous mode for the network interface card, andassociating the media access control address with the network interfacecard, wherein the promiscuous mode is a configuration that enables thenetwork interface card to transmit and receive packets from a pluralityof discrete media access control addresses and a plurality ofnon-discrete media access control addresses, wherein the enabling of thepromiscuous mode is in accordance with a plurality of co-existingreasons being active and a clearance of the promiscuous mode is inaccordance with a time when none of the plurality of co-existing reasonsare active, wherein the plurality of co-existing reasons comprising amanual reason and an overflow reason, wherein the plurality of discretemedia access control addresses comprises addresses specificallyregistered to the network interface card, wherein the plurality ofnon-discrete media access control addresses comprises addresses notknown by the network interface card and enabled for the networkinterface card via the enabling of the promiscuous mode for the networkinterface card.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the number of mediaaccess control addresses is based on the plurality of discrete mediaaccess control addresses presently defined to the network interface cardand the media access control address.
 10. The system of claim 8, whereina state of the media access control address is set to discrete when thenumber is equal to the maximum threshold of the network interface card.11. The system of claim 8, wherein the media access control address isadded to a table with a state set to discrete in response to when thenumber is less than the maximum threshold of the network interface card.12. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer readable instructionsincluding: performing a de-registration of a second media access controladdress by: removing the second media access control address from atable, changing a state of the media access control address fromnot-discrete to discrete.